Islamic State in Somalia locally known as Abnaa Ul Calipha has been actively recruiting and luring fighters to join its ranks in various parts of Somalia despite an upsurge of US airstrikes against its positions.
According to a recent report by AFRICOM, the group has been amercing in numbers and strength and is becoming a threat in the Horn of Africa that already has al Qaeda affiliated al Shabaab majorly active in central and south Somalia. Since April, AFRICOM has launched about eight airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia, killing roughly 20 militants, including the group’s second-in-command.
The US airstrikes against the ISS is a key indicator that the group has been gaining in terms of strength with an estimated 400 fighters with the number projected to be higher with cells further from origin region of Puntland.
ISIS-Somalia is able to take advantage of the clan ties of its key leaders to gain influence and recruit members. Moreover, segments of the local population likely support ISIS-Somalia and in some cases join the group for a range of other reasons, including monetary, and a belief in ISIS’s ideology.
As al Shabaab crumbles, and infighting increases, the tensions offer for ample conditions for the easy recruitment of both former al Shabaab and new members into ISS which seems more formidable combat wise, ideologically as well as financially for both fighters and their families.
